04 City Council Special Mtg Min 2-15-07
SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF PARIS
February 15, 2007
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special meeting at 6:00 P. M.
Thursday, February 15,2007, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present: Mayor: Richard Manning
Council Members: Curtis Fendley; Kevin Gray; Jesse James
Freelen; and Don Wilson
City Staff: Ernie Clark, Interim City Manager, Kent
McIlyar, City Attorney; Janice Ellis, City
Clerk
Absent: Council Members: Tim Ray; and Mary Ann Fisher, Mayor
Pro Tern
1. Mayor Manning called the meeting to order.
Gene Anderson gave the invocation.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Fendley led the pledge.
3. Receipt of report from the Charter Review Committee regarding proposed
Amendments to the Charter, discuss, and take appropriate action.
Philip Cecil, Chairperson for the Charter Review Committee, recognized the
Committee members and Monte Akers, legal advisor. He told Council the Committee
represented a cross-section of the community. Chairperson Cecil further told Council the
Committee decided to review the entire Charter, because it had only been amended twice
since 1948. He reported there would need to be an education process and the Committee was
willing to assist in that process. He asked for Council's approval of the seventy-two
propositions. Mayor Manning commended the work of the Committee.
Council Member Freelen questioned the education process. Chairperson Cecil advised
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February 15, 2007
Page 2
they had discussed the possibilities of district meetings, presentations to Civic Groups, a
web-site, the newspaper, and television coverage. Council Member Freelen also commended
the Committee. Council Member Gray told the Committee he appreciated the work they had
done.
Charles Richards explained as they reviewed and discussed the Charter, they came
together as one unit. Marva Joe encouraged the Council Members to individually join the
Committee in their district meetings, as meetings were held in their districts. David Nabors
told the Council they approached the Charter propositions on the basis of how the changes
would affect the City of Paris. Charles Waldrum informed the Council the Committee took
a logical approach. He further stated their goal was to write amendments that were easily
understood and to alleviate litigation. Council Member Wilson expressed gratitude to
Committee for all of their hard work. He noted that twenty- five of the items were bringing
the Charter in compliance with state law and eight of the items were clean-up items. Council
Member Wilson further told the Committee they had his full support. Council Member
Fendley reiterated Council Member Wilson. In addition, he stated this was long overdue and
the Committee did a great job.
With regard to number 15, Mayor Manning inquired should there be a runoff would
Council be able to meet before the runoff had taken place and canvassed. Charles Richards
stated the provision would allow the Council to continue to meet and that the Council
Member would remain on the Council, until his successor was elected. Mr. Richards further
stated should the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tern both go off of the Council, a new provision
would allow the Council to designate a member as temporary presiding officer. In addition,
Monte Akers advised Council under State Law, any two Council Members could canvass the
votes.
Mayor Manning asked the meaning of "majority vote of the total membership of the
Council," as referenced in number 19. Charles Richards gave the definition as being the
majority vote of the number of Council Members in attendance at the meeting. Mayor
Manning also questioned the meaning of "full consideration and full deliberation." Monte
Akers stated the intent was that the Council would consider all of the information provided
to them.
With regard to number 65, Mayor Manning wanted to know if this amendment
included boards and commissions. If approved, Mr. Akers said it would be consistent with
State Law. He went on to say that State Law did not prohibit appointment of a relative to
serve in a non-paying position, such as a board, commission, or any type of voluntary
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February 15, 2007
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advisory group.
Bobby Walters spoke on behalf of the Committee with regard to the education
process. He suggested that information regarding the amendments be in written form and
disseminated among everyone, so that everyone would be on the same page.
Council Member Wilson asked for clarification regarding qualifications of Council
with regard to a felony conviction. David Hamilton explained they were more specific in
writing the proposition, because if an individual were to be placed on pre-trial diversion or
deferred adjudication it did not constitute a felony conviction.
Council Member Fendley asked when they were going to meet again. Mayor Manning
said they would have a special meeting on Wednesday, February 21 st at 6:00 p.m. Council
Member Wilson asked that the absent Council Members be provided with a video tape of the
meeting.
Ernie Clark informed the Council that the Committee had completed their work and
asked the Council to accept their proposed amendments. Council Member Fendley made a
Motion to accept the proposed amendments and set a meeting for February 2pt. Council
Member Freelen seconded the Motion. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 0 nays.
4. Adjournment.
There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Council
Member Fendley and seconded by Council Member Free1en. The motion carried, 5 ayes - 0
nays. The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
RICHARD MANNING, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK